Robie Benve Art

"Hopes and Smiles" 12'x12" Oil on  linen panel in floater frame Sold Another en plein air landscape painting of the Park of Roses, in Clintonville, OH. I did this one day after the previous post. I really loved that tall tree with cool colors, and I enjoyed the challenge of painting it, as well as the sprinkles of the fountain.

"New Buds of Joy" Oil on linen panel in floater frame 9"x12" Sold A Plein air landscape painting of the Park of Roses in Clintonville, OH. The roses were blooming that week, and the whole experience of being at the park was really joyful. I had a lot of fun painting with palette knives. It creates a nice texture, and it keeps me out of the temptation of adding too many details.

"Pretty in Red" 6" x 6", Oil on gessoboard Available I painted this during a get-together with my friend Lynda. She came over to my studio for a few hours and we spent some time painting and chatting. I had a big painting to finish, but I decided to start a small painting of a pretty red rose. In the evening I went back to finish painting the rose and I realized that it was already finished! Amazing. Talking with Lynda I did not "see" how far in the painting I was already, and all I had left to do was sign it. I love good surprises! :)

"Beyond the Legend" 11"x14" (27.94 x 35.56 cm) Available Every year in Clintonville, OH, home to the beautiful Park of Roses,  there is an event called "Stop and Smell the Roses. At the event there are lots of activities, the air smells of the delicious fragrances from roses of many different variety, and the visitors walking in the park and enjoying the day get to see more than 40 artists doing plain air painting. The sketch I did of the model posing for the painters. The first time I attended the event I was in my role as a mom with two kids, and could not paint. Somehow I was smart enough to bring my sketch book with me and a few of the kids' school pencils. The artists had a model that year, sitting under a tree with an oriental umbrella, and when I saw everyone painting her I could not resist: I stopped near the painters and made a quick sketch of the model. That day I decided I was going to be there with my easel one day! That'...

"Wide Open" 8" x 10" Oil on canvas panel On Sunday I bought some beautiful roses at a great price. They opened up so beautifully, every time I see them I smile. Ah, the little joys of life! I thought that painting them would be a fabulous idea, so I set up a simple still life using the prettiest rose.I have to admit it gave me some challenges. I so admire artists that can paint roses making it seem like a simple task!  My tendency is to overwork them. When I thought I was done I took a photo and loaded into my computer. As soon as I saw it on the screen I realized there were things I need to fix. It's amazing how on the screen you see things with fresher eyes!  So I went back and added some darks, and here it is. My Monday daily painting. :) Have a Happy and Creative day! :) R

"I'll See You Tomorrow" 6"x6", Oil on canvas panel SOLD I'm practicing painting roses once more. I love painting roses, and I'm trying to be looser while having fun with it. I'm pretty pleased with this one. The best part is that I was able to do a daily painting today too, despite being a busy Sunday!  :)) Ciao!

Bouquet 1 Watercolor 4"x6" I'm so excited! Tomorrow I'll be at the Dublin, OH Art Fair with my own booth. It may not sound like a big deal to many, but for me it's quite an event. It's going to be my first Art Fair, and I am a little nervous but also very excited for the great opportunity. A true ice breaker, and a wonderful learning experience. Unfortunately the forecast announced 105 F for tomorrow and Saturday.  I hope I don't melt in the process. The Dublin Art Fair , on 6-7 July 2012.

Drawing of roses, ink pen and colored pencils Another drawing from my sketchbook venture . This time the inspiration are the lovely roses posted by Evhe in her blog A Nos Pinceaux . I found her painting challenge photos most inspiring, recently.  Also, tonight I went to the local Dublin Area Art League (DAAL) meeting and Spring Awakenings Show reception. While I'm quite new to the DAAL, they welcomed me in such a friendly and caring way, that made me very comfortable, and I even got the chance to entered two paintings in the spring art show. Below is a photo of me next to my Daffodils .  I have two paintings in the DAAL Spring Art Show; my first "official" show. :)

"Bouquet of flowers" 12" x 12" (30.48 x 30.48 cm) Acrylic on stretched canvas I'm way past he deadline for this: it was suppose to be for the January's A nos pinceaux painting challenge, but I was not happy with the background, so I kept going it until it made sense to me.  I have to admit I ended up looking for ideas online, and getting inspired by Cezanne's background in his Flower's in vase. Now I'm pretty happy with it, and I learned a lot during the all painting process.  :)) Evhe has been so nice that she posted it on the challenge's blog even if I was late. :) "I could paint for a hundred years, a thousand years without stopping  and I would still feel as though I knew nothing. " Paul Cezanne

--> "Garden Roses #2" 6” x 6” (15.2 cm x 15.2cm)  Acrylic on Canvas Panel --> I'm liking doing these limited palette quick studies! I was trying to complete it in 60 minutes like the previous ones, but at that point I wasn't even close to presentable! Probably due to the fact that I was en plain air, in a sunny and windy day. So I continued inside, where I probably put another hour into it. Painted using ultramarine blue, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, and white. 

--> "Roses by the window" (Click image for larger version) 9” x 12” (22.9cm x 30.5 cm) Acrylic on Canvas Panel This painting has been a challenge about values! The reference photo was in black and white and the DPW painting challenge asked to turn it into color, maintaining the value relationships. Very interesting! I had never done a painting like that before. And it’s kind of funny too, being able to imagine whatever color you like.  :)

--> "Garden's Roses" 6” x 6” (15.2 cm x 15.2cm) Acrylic on Canvas Panel Painted in exactly one hour, using only ultramarine blue, cad red, cad yellow, and white, exactly as the challenge requested.  :) To see the challenge, click here . Love, Robie